Monthly Archives: November 2014

Gerrard dismisses talk of Rodgers rift

The Liverpool star was left out of the starting XI for the clash with Stoke City on Saturday but insists he has not fallen out with the Northern Irishman despite contrary reports


Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has labelled suggestions of a rift between him and manager Brendan Rodgers as “nonsense”.

Gerrard was left out of the Reds’ starting XI for the first time in the Premier League this season for Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Stoke City.

The 34-year-old’s recent performances had attracted criticism from certain quarters, with Liverpool having gone five games without a win in all competitions before the hard-fought success against Stoke.

Saturday’s fixture marked the 16th anniversary of Gerrard’s first-team debut for Liverpool, and various reports had suggested that he was unhappy with Rodgers for omitting him.

However, the former England skipper took to social media on Sunday to rubbish such speculation.

Posting on his official Instagram account, with an accompanying photo of himself and Rodgers, Gerrard wrote: “Just to set the record straight talk of a fall out between us 2 is NONSENSE…have a nice Sunday #together #solid #ynwa.”

Gerrard’s future at Anfield remains uncertain, however, with Rodgers telling his post-Stoke media conference that there has been no movement on negotiations over a contract extension for his skipper – whose current deal expires at the end of this season.

“There’s no update I am aware of – I think the club is talking with Steven’s representatives,” said the Northern Irishman.

Hughes buoyed by Bojan showing despite Liverpool loss

The Spaniard struck the post and worried Simon Mignolet before Glen Johnson won the match for the hosts and his manager believes he was the best player on the pitch

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes took heart from Bojan Krkic’s performance in Saturday’s 1-0 Premier League defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.

The Spaniard struck the post and forced an impressive save from Simon Mignolet, only for Stoke to be undone by a late Glen Johnson header.

Stoke remain without a win at Anfield since 1959 but Hughes was pleased with the showing of former Barcelona man Bojan – a summer signing from the Catalan giants.

“We feel a little bit disappointed because we put a huge effort in,” Hughes explained.

“Our record here over the years has not been great so we all feel it was a big opportunity to wipe the slate clean in that regard and get a positive result.

“In the first half, Liverpool created very little to be perfectly honest and I thought we were comfortable and able to deal with anything they threw at us. 

“In the second, it became a bit more open because we were more encouraged and were looking for a winner ourselves.”

Hughes – who saw Steven Sidwell limp off in the first half before his replacement Glenn Whelan suffered a calf problem – added: “The outstanding player on the day for me was Bojan.

“[I was] really pleased with what he produced but unfortunately he hit the post and an outstanding volley at the end, which needed to be dealt with.

“[I was] pleased with his performance but just felt it was a little bit harsh on us to lose the game today.

“I felt we needed to take something because I think it’s what our performance deserved.”

Liverpool 1-0 Stoke City: Glen Johnson secures vital win for Rodgers


Glen Johnson’s late goal ended Liverpool’s four-match Premier League winless run and ensured a dramatic 1-0 win over Stoke City.

Brendan Rodgers’ men had not won since October but Johnson – the subject of criticism for some below-par showings this term – was the hero as he bravely headed home with five minutes remaining on Saturday.

Rickie Lambert’s looping header crashed back off underside the crossbar, with Johnson stooping to nod home the winner at the Kop end to spark delirious celebrations inside Anfield.

A nervy end to the game ensued when referee Craig Pawson added seven minutes of stoppage time after Johnson sustained a head injury while scoring, but Liverpool held on thanks to a stunning save from under-fire goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, who brilliantly tipped a wonderful Bojan volley over the bar.

Following defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend, Rodgers’ future had been the subject of discussion, with the Northern Irishman dropping captain Steven Gerrard to the bench while keeping faith with Mignolet.

While neither side offered too much offensively in a dour first half, Liverpool in particular looked dangerous after the break and threatened through Raheem Sterling’s constant trickery and a Joe Allen chance the Welshman should have done better with.

But just when it looked as though more points would slip through Liverpool’s grasp, Johnson came to the rescue with a winner the hosts’ second-half showing deserved.

Sterling, who had appeared jaded in recent games, was Liverpool’s main threat early on as his dangerous delivery from the left failed to find Lambert, while Kolo Toure and Martin Skrtel were able to deal with the limited initial threat posed by Bojan, Jonathan Walters and Diouf.

With Stoke already shorn of the injured Victor Moses, Hughes saw Steven Sidwell limp off to be replaced by Glenn Whelan, and the substitute was quickly among the action.

A foul on stand-in Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson allowed Lambert – who had scored in his last two games – a sight on goal, but his free-kick sailed way over to cap a low-key half an hour for the hosts.

Liverpool’s Jose Enrique – brought in at left-back – curled another inviting cross that went unanswered, before Philippe Coutinho’s jinking run threatened an opening, only to be crowded out as Stoke got to the break on level terms.

Whelan was withdrawn at the break for ex-Liverpool man Charlie Adam and the Scot almost handed his former employers a golden opportunity when he lost possession cheaply.

Henderson shot wide six minutes after the break as Liverpool enjoyed their best spell of the game, although Bojan offered a reminder of Stoke’s threat before the hour mark, with the Spaniard striking Mignolet’s left-hand post after cutting in from the left.

The chances continued to flow as Sterling shot wide before Lucas Leiva and Lambert had efforts kept out by Asmir Begovic – Allen then blazing over from inside the area.

Exactly sixteen years after making his Liverpool debut as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers, Gerrard was introduced with 15 minutes remaining.

The former England skipper – playing in a more advanced role – immediately brought a coolness to Liverpool’s attacking play, and he watched on as Johnson finally broke Stoke’s resistance.

There was more drama to come when Bojan forced Mignolet into action, but Liverpool held on for a much-needed three points.